The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-29
ADVENTURE WITH A LION.
Frank L Frayne's Pet Has Very LiveI,
Outing.


New York Times.
Frank 1. Frayne. actor. who. in his play of
'Mardo" ill-imporrant document
from the cage of big lion, to the wonder and
delight OF the galleries. had a narrow escape
few days ago from furnishing a meal for the an
imal. The battle between the man and the lion
took place at dreadfully unfashionable hour;
its old barn and there were no spec
tators. but II was marked and ended by as clever
bit of quick witted work as ever lion-tamer
did for the delight Of thousands A twist of a
rope around iron bar settled the fight, and
when Mr.. Frayne counted up his losses he found
it had cost him a valuable horse and lacerated
get his unruly pet in its cage again.
Not long ago Mr. Frayne bought pleasant
farm house three miles from Madison. N. D.. rem
ovated the dwelling. and called 1t Echo Dell"
He had prosperous season the road, and at
Its close a few weeks ago he removed his lion
and other pets to his farm. and settled down to
enjoy country ease. An old-fashoned. heavy
beemed barn stood near the house. and one side
of Its lower floor was turned into a menagerie
The lion, which used to be called Duke. but is
now known Ingersol in compliment to Colonel
Bob of that name, occupied big cage of iron
and oak near the back of the barn. Between 1t
and the door stood three other cages, one tenant
ed by intelligent laughing hyena, dubbed
Gabe; another by striped hyena, Abe. and the
third by pair OF innocent white rabbits. Op-
posite the cages were the stalls for the horses,
and above were the old time haylofts beloved by
ancient barn builders Two bears. three fine
dogs and three horses were in the lot outside.
valuable horse of Morgan stock was alone in the
Stalls, ana Inc cageQ aDituaiS Scouiou as DodTiY
good natured as usual when the doors OF the barn
were barred on the evening of Sunday week
Ingersoll dozed away peacefully till the first
light of morning awoke him. linen ne rose ana
lazily began to rub himself against the barred
door of his prison. The catches at tho bottom
had not been made fast usual and the big
animals motion pushed open the door until
there plenty of room to pass out lngersolI
wanted breakfast, and the horse WAS the handl-
est dainty with one big roar that set the
hyeDas to doing their prettiest in the way OF
hA do cnrIn hat
over the three foot front of the stall and upon
the horse, which went down like shot and lay
kicking and neghng franticaiiy On the boards,
with the lion tearing its neck open with neatness
and dispatch The din in the barn woke Mr.
Frayne. who put his clothes faster than he
ever had before. and ran out to the scene OF
action.
Once inside the barn he picked up stout rope
that was lying the floor hastily made moose
ut one end. and then threw it at the hons head
At the same time he gave a loud shout, ana the
big brute turned his head just in time for the
rope to settle round his neck. Frayne and the
lion both jumped-Frayne back to the big cage
and the lion full at his master, but the actor had
just insta&ts start on Ingersoll. Quick as
thought he passed the end of the rope that he
still held around the first bar of the grated door,
and pulled with all his strength. The lion was
just in the act Of leaping. and his spring carried
him to the cage, and Fraynes rope pulled him
into it. Frayne slid forward the grating before
the lion could spring again. and the big animal
was Gagged. But Frayne was close up to the bars,
and the lion struck him once with his fore paws,
ripping open his arm
So far everything had been done quickly. but
it was an hour before the usual order of things
was restored. Mrs. Frayne and the other MEM
bsrs of the family had been reused by the
tumult, and that hour was q very anxious one
for them. for until it was over mono of them was
permitted to enter the barn and see how matters
had gone Frayne's hurt was not serious and
he was able to leave home on trip next day.
The horse died from its wounds. and was buried,
and the hyenas were with difficulty persuaded
that life would go on as usual again.
Last night Ingersoll lay in his cage and showed
visitors a fine set of teeth. Fred knight, his
keeper, poked him up. and the lion moved laziy
about his narrow quarters. His short but excit-
ing outing has lef. him lame. but otherwise he
seems in good condition. He is thirteen years
old, and has the reputation of having killed his
man on two occasions. So quiet had Ingersolls
outbreak been kept that people in Madison had
heard only vague rumors of it last night